[AUSTINSCOBRA]

i got a 96 cobra (mods listed ) also adding maximum motorsport (grip in the box) kit & vortech s/c. how will i do in the world of autocross? any of you guys running autocross with your supercharge stang??

[wilit]

Not well considering you've spent $0 on suspension mods. Auto-x is all about handling, not power. My DSP preped Neon ACR used to run better times than most of the BSP and ESP cars. The MM grip in a box is a step in the right direction, but I'd definately spend the $$$ on more suspension parts and driving skill classes than a supercharger.

[AUSTINSCOBRA]

Ok, Beside The Mm Grip In A Box Package, What Else Do You Recomend As For Suspension? I THINK MY DRIVING SKILLS IS PRETTY GOOD, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT & I WILL BE GETT'N SOME TRAINING.

[Saleen Owner]

Here's your best way to learn. Go to some events and look around at what others are doing. Run what you have now, ask the guys you meet running Stang's similar to yours what seems to work the best, and experiment. You are in one of the best S.C.C.A. regions in the country, take advantage of it. You can learn more in one day's first hand experience at an event than over the internet in a month. Check these guy's out, go to their events, they will be happy to answer your questions.
http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/index.html

And my suggestions: Forget the forced induction. Start by getting a spare set of light weight rims (unsprung weight is the enemy) and mount some AutoX racing tires on them. Anti-roll bars are the best bang for the buck suspension mod, and a good place to start. The Maximum Motorsport package is a fine choice and will really shine with the racing tires, but get the tires first to take full advantage of its potential. And don't forget about brake upgrades, they will really help to lower your times.

The biggest factor in your times is YOU! Get all the help you can find, like driver schools put on by your region, ask others what you are doing wrong and get pointers on how to correct it. And go to every event you can and pratice what you learn.

[GTRaptor]

I have beat many guys with more HP under the hood by being consistent, the guys with superchargers have the problem of being to eager to push the pedal exiting the corners and most of them end up facing the other way.

Besides your driving abilities, tires, suspension and brakes are the key.

#1 in that list is TIRES, get the best that you can. You will be surprised how much you can improve your times with good tires. Some people go with the top suspension package and end up being beaten by almost stock cars but with good rubber.

#2 Brakes, get the largest you can afford or are permited in your class, get decent pads and have spare rotors at hand

#3 Suspension: little things can do wonders for a stock suspension:

a) Bushings: Front A arm bushings: steeda Offset bushings , rack bushings, decent end links.
b) CC Plates, more grip and better tire wear.
c) Adjustable shocks and struts are great tunning aids and will help adapt your car to different track conditions.

[TobyBall]

Gotta agree with Rob and the others, when autocross results are the goal, the money spent on a supercharger would be much better spent on the tires, brakes, and suspension upgrades in the order suggested, and Saleen Owners recommend on getting hands on experience and advice from the SCCA folks before finalizing your plan and spending your dough.

[DukeofEarl]

One of the biggest problems with stangs is the weight distribution. we are like 65/35 which sucks. one good thing to do is move the battery to the passenger side rear or get two 6 volt optimas and run them together down in the rear bumper. Next good mod is the K member. replace that heavy stamped POS with a tubular unit. this will also let you move the engine back some. Next add tubular arms and coil overs. You will see a HUGE handling improvment from this.
Main thing to remember is.. speed doesnt matter. fun matters! If you spend all your time working on it and none driving it then why have it...go have fun.

The duke
04 Mystic

[AUSTINSCOBRA]

yeah, I decided not to autox the Cobra, but im still gonna do all the suspension mods & supercharge. I just bought an s4 so im gonna autox on that instead It suck's cuz I have to wait now for the suspesion & s/c mods since I just spend a ton of money on the S4. Its worth it though.

[Adam94GT]

What's an S4? Audi?

[AUSTINSCOBRA]

Originally Posted by Adam94GT

What's an S4? Audi?

Are you being sarcastic?

Well if u really dont know what it is.
Audi S4 has a V8 4.2L 340hp AWD & it will blow the doors off my COBRA.

[KDS]

Other problem with an s/c is the heat. You have to beef up the fuel system and the cooling as well if you want it to run right al day in any weather. If you still want to autocross or open track your Mustang, go to an event and see what the fast guys are running. And I don't mean just the fast guys on the first session of the day, see who's still running at the end of the day. Save the money on the s/c (about $4000 when it's finally tuned and done right) and use it for driving schools. One other thing to consider is what class the s/c will put you in. I don't know how the classing works in autocross but if it puts you in a class with cars that are naturally better balanced even with no mods, i.e. Z06, then you'll get beat most of the time and will soon get tired of it. I use to have a s/c on my 94 Cobra that I open track. It was making 400 hp to the wheels. I got tired of the inconsistant performace due to weather, the thought of how much it would cost to have a custom intercooler made, and larger fuel system done so I took it off to see how it would run. Car ran great all day. Lap times were the same and are even faster now cause I learned to drive the car rather than just floor it down the straights, and its always nice to beat up on some guy in his new 03/04, then have him come up to you in the pits and see the look on their face when they see you don't have a s/c.